Police Seek La Quinta Carjacking Suspect Who Took Woman's Mercedes

Police were seeking the public's help Friday in tracking down a carjacking suspect who drove off in a woman's Mercedes late Thursday night.

It happened around 11 p.m. in the 47700 block of Adams Street, at Avenue 48, according to sheriff's Sergeant Ben Ramirez.

The woman was giving a man a ride who had just helped her change a flat tire, when she "decided not to give him a ride anymore," sheriff's Corporal Angel Ramos explained to Patch.

At that point, the woman pulled over to let the man out, but he instead took off in her car, according to officials.

"It looks like he got angry for some reason and knocked her to the ground and took off," Ramos said.

"The male passenger got in the driver's seat and struck with victim with the driver's door," Ramirez said.

The woman was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

The suspect, described as as a Hispanic male, 5'-06" tall, 140 lbs., was last seen wearing a turquoise shirt and blue jeans.  The vehicle is described as a 2002 silver Mercedes ML320 SUV, with California license plate: 4YKB190.

If you spot either the vehicle or suspect, you're asked to contact the Thermal Sheriff's Station at 760-863-8990.